Anticryptosporidial Activity of Nitazoxanide in an Immunosuppressed Mice Model

To study the anticryptosporidial activity of nitazoxanide in an immunosuppressed mice model for cryptosporidiosis,the Kunmin mice being immunosuppressed with dexamethasone were successfully infected by the Cryptosporidium parvum sporulated oocysts.The infected mice were divided into control,groups of high,middle and low doses of the drug,and their oocyst shedding intensities were observed everyday.The drug treatments lasted for one week and the activities of the drug were evaluated by the infection restraint rates.The experimental results showed the treatment with 200 mg/kg bodyweight significantly inhibited oocyst excretion,so the drug was effective for cryptosporidiosis.